What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?

Quality assurance and quality control are both crucial components of quality management, but they serve different purposes within that framework. Quality assurance primarily focuses on defect prevention through the establishment and continuous improvement of processes and systems. It is proactive in nature, aiming to ensure that the processes used in production or service delivery are designed to meet quality standards and thereby minimize the risk of defects occurring in the first place.

On the other hand, quality control is reactive; it involves identifying and addressing defects in products or services after they have been developed. This verification is typically achieved through various inspection and testing methods, ensuring that what has been produced meets the established quality criteria.

The distinction reinforces the importance of both concepts in maintaining high-quality outputs. While quality assurance sets the stage for quality, quality control provides a check to ensure that the final product adheres to standards. This relationship highlights how effective quality assurance can lead to fewer defects, thereby reducing the need for extensive quality control in the long term.